Gorges - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Tyler Myers ’50-50′ for Friday, Josh Gorges getting closer to returning

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ battered defense corps could receive some reinforcements soon.

Tyler Myers, a surprise scratch for Wednesday’s 2-1 loss to Winnipeg, is “50-50” for Friday’s home tilt, Sabres coach Ted Nolan said this afternoon. Myers has a lower-body injury and missed today’s short practice.

Meanwhile, Josh Gorges, out the last five games with a knee injury, practiced fully today and is getting closer to playing. The Sabres play the Montreal Canadiens, Gorges’ ... Read the full article

Sabres could use Patrick Kaleta at center

BUFFALO – Patrick Kaleta, center? Believe it. It could be happen Wednesday, Sabres coach Ted Nolan said.

Kaleta, a winger his entire nine-year career, has practiced in the middle the last two days. Nolan said Monday the Sabres could recall a center. For now, however, they are “going to keep the status quo.”

“He’s been waiting to get in,” Nolan said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center. “So we’ll maybe see how that ... Read the full article

Sabres have special memories of Pat Quinn; Michal Neuvirth ready to return

BUFFALO – Three Sabres – winger Tyler Ennis, center Cody Hodgson and defenseman Tyler Myers – played for former NHL coach and executive Pat Quinn, an iconic figure who died Sunday at 71 following a long illness.

Quinn coached the players to a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2009 world junior championship in Ottawa.

“He was awesome for us,” Ennis this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center.

Canada hasn’t won gold since, something ... Read the full article

Sabres recall goalie Nathan Lieuwen from Amerks

BUFFALO – With goalie Michal Neuvirth sidelined by a lower-body injury, the Sabres recalled Nathan Lieuwen from Rochester this afternoon.

Lieuwen has struggled badly with the AHL Americans this season, going 3-4 with a 3.53 goals against average and .876 save percentage.

The 23-year-old has performed terribly – 0-3, 4.91 and .838 – in his last six games. He has been yanked from three of his last five starts.

Lieuwen developed into a strong NHL ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Tyler Ennis’ memories of NHL debut strong 5 years later

BUFFALO – Tyler Ennis still remembers every little detail of Nov. 14, 2009, the day the slick Sabres winger made his NHL debut.

When Portland Pirates coach Kevin Dineen told Ennis the Sabres could recall him for a game in Philadelphia that night, the youngster left the rink – “It was like a 30-minute drive,” he said – and went home.

He needed to eat, so he “picked up a quick Subway sandwich.”

Ennis then ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Patrick Kaleta to sit against Leafs; Josh Gorges out ‘a little bit’

BUFFALO – Patrick Kaleta’s home season debut will have to wait. Sabres coach Ted Nolan will scratch the winger for tonight’s tilt against the Toronto Maple Leafs inside the First Niagara Center.

The Angola native played his first NHL game since Oct. 10, 2013 on Thursday, a 6-3 loss in Minnesota.

Kaleta tore his ACL almost a year ago in the AHL and took a puck to the face Sept. 28. Nolan thinks after playing ... Read the full article

Sabres excited to have Rick Jeanneret back: ‘A pretty special moment’

BUFFALO – To winger Patrick Kaleta, who grew up in nearby Angola listening to Rick Jeanneret call games, the greatest perk of playing for the Sabres isn’t money or prestige.

“One of the best, if not the best thing about being a Sabre is hearing your name called by Rick Jeanneret,” Kaleta said Friday inside the First Niagara Center. “I still get chills listening to some of stuff on YouTube.”

So whenever Kaleta ... Read the full article

Sabres players thrilled for Rick Jeanneret’s return

BUFFALO – Whenever Patrick Kaleta needs to “get pumped up,” the Sabres winger goes to Youbtube.com and listens to legendary play-by-play man Rick Jeanneret call some famous goals.

“He makes the game so exciting,” the Angola native said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center. “It is one of the best, if not the best thing about being a Sabre is hearing your name called by Rick Jeanneret. I still get chills listening to some ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Patrick Kaleta to make season debut

Buffalo Sabres winger Patrick Kaleta will make his season debut tonight against the Wild, coach Ted Nolan told reporters Wednesday in Minnesota.

Kaleta hasn’t played an NHL game since Oct. 10, 2013. The team’s old regime banished the agitator to the minors following a suspension early last season. He tore his ACL weeks later. Kaleta took a puck to the face during a Sept. 28 preseason game.

Meanwhile, defenseman Josh Gorges, who suffered a lower-body ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Josh Gorges injured in loss to Blues

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Josh Gorges suffered a lower-body injury in Tuesday’s 6-1 loss to the Blues and will miss at least one game.

“It’s not good,” Sabres coach Ted Nolan told reporters in St. Louis.

Gorges, the NHL’s leading shot blocker, will be evaluated, Nolan said. He skated 10 minutes, 10 seconds and left the contest early in the second period.

The Sabres play Thursday in Minnesota and host Toronto on Saturday.... Read the full article